Former South Africa Test captain Graeme Smith has reportedly praised Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard following his first ever visit to Anfield on Sunday to watch the club defeat Manchester City 3-2 in their Premier League clash.

Smith said that initially what strikes one most about Gerrard is that one does not get people like him in modern sport so often, adding that his loyalty, pride and passion for Liverpool makes him unique.

According to Sport24, Smith watched Liverpool go head to head against Manchester City, as Gerrard turned in a typically dominant display before rounding up the players at the final whistle and instructed them to forget their victory and 'go again' next week.

Smith, who retired from international cricket last month, said that the way Gerrard carries himself and Liverpool says enough, adding that the skipper leads by example.

The former South African cricketer also said that another thing he admires about Gerrard is his calmness on the field, adding that he watched the skipper constantly talking to his players and guiding them.

Smith, who currently captains English county Surrey, said that it is very easy to follow Gerrard and be inspired by him because his career is leadership enough, the report added.